The process of wound healing is a complex bodily function. This natural process involves inflammatory vascular and connective tissue working in tandem with epithelial cells over a period of time. As such, wound care education requires a basic understanding of how wounds actually affect the connective tissue that is human skin. Our skin consists of…
The typical treatment for infected wounds continues to include antimicrobial therapy, however other therapies are gaining in popularity due to the rise in antibiotic resistance. Maggots Maggot Debridement Therapy is the medical use of live maggots (fly larvae) for treating non-healing wounds. Maggot therapy has also been around for a long time, going all the…
In this series, we have been focusing on wound care modalities that are commonly used in wound care management. Now we turn our focus to lesser known and less common wound care tactics. Monochromatic Infrared Energy (MIRE) Monochromatic Infrared Energy (MIRE) involves the delivery of near-infrared energy to the skin using diode pads. This therapy…
In the last segment, we discussed whirlpool treatments; however, in some cases whirlpool is not convenient or available. When whirlpool is not an option, pulsed lavage with or without suction may be used. Functions Pulsed lavage uses a wound irrigant under pressure, which is powered by an electronic device, to irrigate and cleanse the wound….
Wound management is a rapidly growing field, with new developments and discoveries coming one after the other. We’ve come a long way from the days where all wounds were managed with gauze (although gauze is still sometimes appropriate). What’s coming in the field of wound management? Let’s take a look at some of the “up…
Any patient with a wound is vulnerable to skin and periwound breakdown as well. There are several factors that clinicians must be aware of in order to help protect the periwound. Why is the periwound vulnerable? Because the periwound lies adjacent to a draining wound, it may be exposed to excessive amounts of moisture. Excessive…
In this series, we’ve been discussing the many different types of wound dressings, in terms of indications and precautions. Let’s continue with a discussion of hydrocolloid wound dressings Hydrocolloids Hydrocolloid wound dressings contain hydrophilic (absorbing or distilling in water) colloidal particles, such as pectin, carboxymethylcellulose or gelatin. These dressings absorb fluid slowly and turn into…
Continuing our review of dressings and their unique characteristics, let’s look at two other dressing types: alginates and composite dressings. Alginates Alginates are made from specific types of brown seaweed which contain alginic acid salts converted into sodium/calcium salts. They may be woven or nonwoven and look similar to cotton. These dressings, when placed in…
Continuing on in our discussion of wound dressings, let’s turn our attention to hydrogels and semipermeable foams. Hydrogels for Wound Care Hydrogels are water- or glycerin-based wound dressings that come in sheets, gels or impregnated gauzes. Hydrogels swell and are able to absorb small amounts of fluids. They are also able to add moisture to…
As you know, there are more than 3000 wound care products available on the market, which can make it very confusing for practitioners to choose the correct wound care product for their clients’ wounds. Let’s continue our discussion on the continuum of wound dressings. Semipermeable Film Dressings These dressings are thin and flexible and are…
